Sexual Dysfunction Later In Life for 11-18 Year Old Cancer Survivors

Sexual Dysfunction Later In Life for 11-18 Year Old Cancer Survivors

Introduction

All cancer affects the lives of people who are affected and those around them. Sexuality is not immune to these changes. However, not all cancers affecting sexuality in males and females in the same way especially those who survived cancer between the age of 11-18 years. Cancer "symbolic and emotional" like testicles, penis and prostate, can put into play a sense of masculinity, seductive ability decrease, reduce sexual interest, modify, or delete the erection and ejaculation. If for years the medical profession has focused on healing the sick, efforts are now being undertaken to minimize the effects of cancer treatments and improve the quality of life of patients especially focusing on the survivors between the ages of 11-18 years because this is the age where the survivor life starts. Sexuality is now considered one of the parameters of quality of life. Despite these efforts, sexuality is still paying a heavy price for the cancer, by its very nature, by the psychological impact that induced by the treatment he requires, modifies greatly. At the last congress of the American Society of Psychology oncology, dealing with the theme "Sexuality and Cancer", the observation was made on 100 patients with cancer, 75% will suffer from sexual problems after treatment ended (Cathy & Melissa, 2007).

Discussion

Place of sexuality in human life

Male sexuality is not limited to the erection, but in XXI century, many boys in the growing age regret it or not, still feel validated by their penis. The dominant images of masculinity remain for much power, performance, reason and rationality. The penis is likened to a barometer when it works well, everything is fine, but when it fails, it is a disaster. The penis is both the spearhead, but also the Achilles heel of some males.

Sexuality is not of the same importance for everyone: Americans and cancer of the prostate receiving the information that they may be impotent after radical prostatectomy react differently: 20% oppose the intervention because, for them, sex is too important and without them is unimaginable, as 20% agree, for them sex is not important and the remaining 60% also agree because for them it is price to pay to heal knowing that treatments for erectile dysfunction are available.

These differences in attitudes toward sexuality can be explained by several factors. When sexuality plays a minor role in the life of an individual, his past reproductive period, the loss of erectile function and ejaculation will not affect little. In our society, the lack of desire (without any cancer) is now the most common sexual disorder: 1 to 15% of men and 3-35% of women. Humans with cancer, causes of low libido are many: anxiety and stress in the future, fatigue, depression, pain, chemotherapy and radiotherapy as well as certain medications hormone treatments. Humans with cancer, libido is decreased in 80% of cases during treatment and in approximately 30 to 40% in the years after treatment. The frequency of sexual intercourse increased from ...